bent skeg on 35 Johnson

[newuserguy]

This is kinda' like voodoo's on 5/27/06 at 6:07pm. I hope KY Hunter, the welder, is looking in. I just bought a 14' Cherokee alum. widebody with a cherry 35 hp (1981) Johnson. Motor only had 24 hours, the boat is a 1957 ONE owner I bought from the grandson. I'm real happy but the skeg has a slight curve at the bottom (obviously hit something. Question(s): Can I heat and try to tap the skeg straight (sounds like a 'murphy' waiting to happen) or should I replace the foot, if so can I get a used one here or maybe, ebay. What do ya think, guys?

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: bent skeg on 35 Johnson

I have no answer for your question, but I do have a question of my own. If you bought a '57 from your grandson, and it's a one-owner boat, just exactly how old are you?

 

[newuserguy]

Re: bent skeg on 35 Johnson

I bought the boat from the original owner's grandson. I am not the original owner or the grandson, just the very happy new owner with a ?.

 

[CanWoodsman]

Re: bent skeg on 35 Johnson

As for the skeg someone better qualified than myself will surely answer that question.<br />I have been looking for other owners of Cherokee's.<br />Is yours made by McKenzie Boats.<br />Mine is a 1968 model 15 1/2' long with a 1967 Johnson 40 hp motor.Does yours look simular to this?<br />

<br /><br />Best Wishes

 

[newuserguy]

Re: bent skeg on 35 Johnson

No, it is 14', open, widebody style and better built than all of the new ones that aren't fully welded. Very strong, stable and quick with my cherry 35 (excepting a little bit of bend in the skeg). The boat came from the Cleveland, Ohio area (Chagrin Falls)and I am selling my 14' Lowe with 9.5 Johnny. Need the speed WITH great fuel mileage (two cylinder, one carb, good gas, go fast).

 

[CanWoodsman]

Re: bent skeg on 35 Johnson

Thanks for the prompt reply.<br /><br />Good Luck

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: bent skeg on 35 Johnson

unless the skeg is bent badly, live with it trying to bend it back it will probably break, heating it will toast the lower unit. i just adds charm to an older engine.

 

[newuserguy]

Re: bent skeg on 35 Johnson

Tashasdaddy thanks, but, being slightly bent out of align with the centerline of the boat doesn't it act like a small rudder to diminish power? Also, what about a new foot (the housing? or will I need to reseal reinstall everything. Hmm, logic dictates I would.) Maybe 'live with it' is the best advice.

 

[Fouled Plug]

Re: bent skeg on 35 Johnson

Tapping it would likely result in a break. If it's bent enough to affect performance, you'll feel it at the helm. It may affect steering slightly, but it would have to be a heck of a tweak to be a major issue.

 

[ob]

Re: bent skeg on 35 Johnson

I've starightened out a slightly bent skeg on a 82 model evinrude 60 once that was bent from a lady that rear ended my tilted engine at a stop light which subsequently beer canned the hood of her new car.I initially bent it using a large adjustable wrench with the jaws closed down to the skeg width folowed by two 1 lb ball peen hammers and just lightly tapped opposedly until straight.True story.No heat and no fractures.I guess it depends on the location of the bend and the touch of the hammerer.

 

[wilde1j]

Re: bent skeg on 35 Johnson

Originally posted by newuserguy:<br /> Tashasdaddy thanks, but, being slightly bent out of align with the centerline of the boat doesn't it act like a small rudder to diminish power? Also, what about a new foot (the housing? or will I need to reseal reinstall everything. Hmm, logic dictates I would.) Maybe 'live with it' is the best advice.

The skeg is there soley tp protect the prop ... it has zero to do with performance. Leave it alone, or if it bothers you a lot beat it back straight using a heavy piece to buck and a heavy, dead blow hammer. If it were mine, I'd leave it.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: bent skeg on 35 Johnson

I've done the 2-ball peen hammer method myself. Put the heavier one on the backside of what you're hitting, and hit the other side with the lighter hammer. The backup hammer takes the brunt of the shock and prevents the skeg from breaking off. I've done it on skegs and AV plates. Haven't broken one yet!<br /><br />- Scott